How to Check for Mold After Water Damage?

Learn how to spot mold after water damage and what to do about it if it’s there.

Experienced water damage? Had a troubling leak that soaked up your materials?

If so, be on the lookout, as there’s a good chance you have mold.

Mold can be sneaky, causing all sorts of problems if you don’t catch it early.

Here’s how to check for mold after water damage, coming from what I’ve learned over the years in the business.

Should I Test for Mold After Water Damage?

Not necessarily.

If you can see it or smell it, you’ve got mold. Simple as that.

Save your money on testing and put it towards fixing the problem.

That being said, if you’ve got health concerns or need documentation for insurance, then yeah, professional testing can be very worth it.

We can help you with mold assessment. If you’re unsure about whether or not to do it, call us and let’s consult.

How to Tell Mold From Water Damage?

Water damage and mold can look similar, but here’s the deal: water damage usually shows up as stains or discoloration that’s uniform in color.

Mold, on the other hand, tends to be spotty and can come in various colors—black, green, and brown being the most common colors.

Plus, mold often has a fuzzy or slimy texture. And let’s not forget the smell—that musty/rotten odor is a dead giveaway for mold.

Will a One-time Leak Cause Mold?

Likely not, as long as you quickly mitigate the leak and water damage that came from it.

So, if you’re quick about it, a one-time leak shouldn’t cause mold.

But, if the moisture isn’t removed, mold can start growing in as little as 24 hours after water damage.

However, it usually takes 3 to 12 days before you can actually see or smell it.

That’s why it’s crucial to act fast when you’ve got water damage. The quicker you dry things out, the less chance mold has to develop.

Once mold grows, it will start eating up organic materials around it (this would include your drywall, insulation, upholstery, and wood, among other things).

Signs of Mold After Water Damage

We’ll go over the most common scenarios, starting with drywall.

How Can You Tell if You Have Mold Behind Drywall?

This can be tricky, but there are a few telltale signs:

Dark spots on the wall with a fuzzy texture
Peeling or bubbling paint
Warping or bulging of the drywall

If these signs are followed by a musty odor when you’re near the wall, you’ve got mold.

How Long Until Mold Grows on Drywall?

As we’ve said, you’ve got about 24 to 48 hours before mold starts to grow on wet drywall. That’s why we always tell our clients to call us ASAP after water damage.

Can Mold Inside Walls Make You Sick?

Absolutely. I’ve seen it happen plenty of times. Mold can cause all sorts of health issues, especially for people with allergies or respiratory problems. This is why we wear coveralls and masks when we’re removing it.

How Do You Test for Mold Behind Shower?

Look for any discoloration or staining on the walls around the shower. Dark lines in the grout also occur regularly—that’s mold.

Now, grout mold in and off itself isn’t an issue if it’s small; the problem is if there are signs of mold around the shower as well, along with a moldy smell I already mentioned.

If you’re really concerned, you can carefully remove a small section of drywall to check behind it.

But honestly, if you suspect mold behind your shower, it’s best to call in the pros.

Can Mold Grow on Wood?

You bet it can. Wood is porous and holds moisture well.

This means that mold can grow in your attic, crawl space, and even on your flooring.

In the case of flooring mold, the problem probably comes from below, with mold first growing on the subfloor and then pushing above.

Signs of Mold in Carpets

Moldy carpets are nasty. Look out for a damp or spongy feeling underfoot, along with dark spots and a bad smell.

You get the point by now—signs of mold are pretty similar for most surfaces.

Can a Plumber Tell if You Have Mold?

While plumbers are great at fixing leaks, they’re not typically mold experts (no offense).

They might spot obvious mold growth, but for a thorough mold inspection, you’re better off calling a restoration specialist like us.

We’re trained to spot mold in all hiding places, like crawl spaces, attics, and ventilation systems.

What Kills Mold After a Water Leak?

There are a bunch of products out there that claim to kill mold, but in my experience, nothing beats old-fashioned elbow grease combined with the right cleaning agents.

For small areas, a mix of water and white vinegar can work.

For bigger jobs, we personally use professional-grade antimicrobial treatments.

But remember, killing mold is only going to work if you fix the moisture/leak source(s) too, or it’ll just come back.

Will Mold Go Away Once a Leak is Fixed?

I wish it were that simple, but no.

Fixing the leak stops more moisture from coming in, which is crucial. But any mold that’s already there won’t just disappear. You’ve got to physically remove it and treat the area to prevent regrowth.

In all my years running Superior Contract Cleaning, I’ve taught clients that when it comes to mold, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

If you suspect you’ve got mold after water damage, don’t wait around. Get it checked out by our professionals, who know what they’re doing.

Most homeowners don’t have the right equipment for cleaning, protection, and testing to ensure the mold is gone.

Not to mention the knowledge and experience that our mold remediation technicians have.

Trust me, your health, your home, and even your wallet will thank you for it (by hiring us in time rather than fixing costlier damage down the line).